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Press release Black Smoke Inc of Hingham is a new member of the American Angus Association®, said Mark McCully, CEO of the national breed organization headquartered in Saint Joseph, Missouri. The American Angus Association, with more than 22,000 active adult and junior members, is the largest beef breed association in the world. Its computerized records include detailed information on more than 19 million registered Angus. The association records ancestral information and keeps production records and genomic data on...
Press release Members are invited to join Montana Farmers Union Feb. 16 in Billings for a complimentary dinner, connection with other members and information about the Inflation Reduction Act, Rural Development and MFU’s legislative work. “Montana Farmers Union is all about providing educational opportunities for members to learn from each other and how to improve their farms, ranches and soil,” MFU President Walter Schweitzer said. The gathering also is a chance to spend time with other likeminded people and hopefully buoy...
Press release WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture launched its pilot Cattle Contracts Library tuesday at 10 a.m. on the Agricultural Marketing Service Cattle Contract Library webpage. The webpage is at https://www.ams.usda.gov/market-news/livestock-poultry-grain/cattle-contracts-library . “USDA is committed to creating a more level playing field for cattle producers and a more balanced, equitable economy for everyone working in food and agriculture,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said. “The Cattle Contrac...
From Montana Farmers Union Montana Premium Processing Cooperative is has announced its newest board member is Casey Buffington, a fourth-generation rancher for Basin Coulee Cattle Company near Ledger. The position was effective Jan. 1. In addition, Ben Peterson and Eric Bergman were unanimously re-elected to their board seats. “It is my passion for agriculture and for protecting my family’s ranching legacy that motivates me to face the challenges ranchers combat each day and to actively pursue solutions and opportunities suc...
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Farmer and rancher delegates to the American Farm Bureau Federation's 104th Convention adopted policies to guide the organization's work in 2023. Key topics ranged from expanding risk management programs and improving dairy pricing transparency to battling hunger. Delegates were polled regarding their farms at the beginning of the voting session. The results show almost 99% - 334 delegates - of those who cast votes operate family farms and almost 65%...
Press release BOZEMAN — The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service is accepting applications for the Community Agriculture Initiative. The initiative supports the conservation efforts of Montana’s farmers, ranchers and forest landowners from small acreage to large. NRCS accepts applications year-round, but applications for the current funding cycle must be submitted by Feb. 14, 2023. “Agricultural producers of all sizes provide local, nutritious food to their communities. Through this initiative, NRCS is prior...
Press release WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is reminding agricultural producers with perennial forage crops of an option to report their acreage once, without having to report that acreage in subsequent years, as long as there are no applicable changes on the farm. Interested producers can select the continuous certification option after USDA’s Farm Service Agency certifies their acreage report. “FSA’s continuous certification option simplifies future acreage reporting of perennial crops, and it can also...
A mass of snowfall in December has nearly caught north-central Montana up on precipitation for the calendar year, with more snow predicted today, but that has not been enough to overcome drought conditions in this region. As of Tuesday, National Weather Service reported 25.3 inches of snow at its recording station at the Havre City-County Airport, more than a foot-and-a-half more than the normal value of 6.9 inches for Dec. 27. Snow has blanketed the region, and the state,...
Montana State University Extension will host a free, annual cropping seminar series Jan. 9-13 in Great Falls, Choteau, Conrad, Cut Bank, Shelby, Chester, Havre, Fort Benton, and Stanford. Speakers will cover cereal grain varieties, pea and lentil management, fertilizer management and estate planning. Cereal grain varieties update will be presented by Jed Eberly from MSU’s Central Agricultural Research Center and Peggy Lamb from MSU’s Northern Agricultural Research Center. Presentations will cover local test plot results and...
Press release HELENA — The Agriculture Development Council will meet Thursday, Dec. 29, beginning at 2 p.m. via Zoom to review amendment requests, discuss the Montana AgTech Innovation and Investment Summit, and address general Department of Agriculture/Ag Development Council updates. To request information to join the meeting virtually, people can email Dani Jones at [email protected]. The Agriculture Development Council establishes policies and priorities to enhance the future development of agriculture in Montana. T...
Press release Helena — The Montana Department of Livestoc confirmed Thursday that highly pathogenic avian influenza — HPAI — killed a small backyard poultry flock in Flathead County. The case marks the 16th HPAI affected flock in the state since the start of the outbreak in March. The 2022 HPAI variant continues to have a significant effect on commercial and backyard flocks, with more than 56 million birds in 47 states affected nationally. Avian influenza is an infectious viral disease of birds that can cause high morta...
From the MSU News Service BOZEMAN — A program offered by Montana State University Extension and the Montana Stockgrowers Association that provides an opportunity for students throughout the state to raise cattle and learn about various elements of beef quality recently announced its annual winners. The 2022 Steer of Merit program winners were recognized Dec. 8 at the Montana Stockgrowers Association annual convention and trade show in Billings. MSU Extension and MSGA distinguished 154 “Steers of Merit” out of 1,288 entri...
Press release Montana Grain Growers Association is welcoming individuals to apply to serve as executive director for the Montana Pulse Crop Committee. The executive will be responsible for various administrative, analytical, communications, and market development activities to support the committee. Applicants will be eligible for up to three years of funding. “We, as an association, look forward to filling this position in order to serve the pulse growers in Montana,” MGGA Executive Vice President Alison Vergeront sai...
Staff and wire report Montana Stockgrowers Association had a busy week last week during its 138th Annual Convention and Trade Show in Billings. On the final day of convention, attendees finalized policy, elected the 2023 board of directors, and had multiple activities including a general session, a trade show, stockgrowers colleges, the Presidents Lunch and the Grand Finale Banquet. Thursday, the association held the Opening General Session, Stockgrowers Colleges, Northern Ag Network and Best of Beef Lunch, Tax, Finance and...
Press release The Montana Farm Bureau Board of Directors discussed and voted to approve the organization’s priority issues for 2023 immediately following the Delegate Session at the MFBF 103rd Annual Convention Nov. 14-17 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Missoula. “Our priority issues certainly reflect Montana Farm Bureau’s vision of leading Montana agriculture toward a future with a prosperous ag economy and thriving rural communities,” said MFBF President Cyndi Johnson, a Conrad wheat farmer. “Thank you to our members for surfa...
Press release GREAT FALLS — Montana Grain Growers Association recently wrapped up its 67th Annual Trade Show and Convention. The MGGA annual convention is where members discuss and approve the policy platform that guides the organization on issues impacting the ag industry. Members passed policy for 2022-2023 and elected new officers. Nathan Keane from Loma will serve as president, Boyd Heilig from Moore will serve as vice president, Klayton Lohr from Shelby will serve as treasurer and Steve Sheffels from Great Falls will s...
Press release The Montana Stockgrowers Association Seedstock Committee has shared a new incentive program that will roll out at the 2022 priority page auction. The annual priority page auction is an annual fundraiser the committee hosts to support MSGA. The auction will take place during the Grand Finale Banquet of MSGA’s Annual Convention and Trade Show Friday, Dec. 9, from 7-9 p.m. This year, the committee wants to reward and provide incentives to loyal buyers. How the incentive program works: • This year, one buy...
Press release WASHINGTON — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced plans for additional emergency relief and pandemic assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. USDA is preparing to roll out the Emergency Relief Program Phase Two as well as the new Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program, which are two programs to help offset crop and revenue losses for producers. USDA is sharing early information to help producers gather documents and train front-line staff on the new approach. “We have worked diligently to hel...
Press release The Montana Stockgrowers Association's announced MSGA's Director of Marketing and Communications Keni Reese, has been named to COWGIRL Magazine's 30 Under 30 class for 2023. COWGIRL Magazine's 30 Under 30 program honors 30 women who are 30 years of age or younger and have shown significant dedication to the Western industry. Reese was honored as one of top 30 early career influential women in the nation. "This award is truly humbling and I am honored to be among...
Press release The Montana Farm Bureau Board of Directors discussed and voted to approve the organization’s priority issues for 2023 immediately following the Delegate Session at the MFBF 103rd Annual Convention Nov. 14-17 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Missoula. “Our priority issues certainly reflect Montana Farm Bureau’s vision of leading Montana agriculture toward a future with a prosperous ag economy and thriving rural communities,” said MFBF President Cyndi Johnson, a Conrad wheat farmer. “Thank you to our members for surfa...
From the MSU News Service BOZEMAN — Montana State University Extension will host its annual cropping seminar series Jan. 9-13, 2023, in the Golden Triangle area of north-central Montana. Speakers will cover topics such as cereal grain varieties, pulse management, soil fertility management and estate planning. Interested people can attend seminars in Chester, Choteau, Conrad, Cut Bank, Fort Benton, Great Falls, Havre, Shelby and Stanford. There is no charge for the seminars, and all agricultural producers are encouraged to a...
USDA Farm Service Agency The U.S. Department of Agriculture began mailing ballots for the Farm Service Agency county committee elections to all eligible agricultural producers and private landowners across the country. Elections are occurring in certain local administrative areas — LAA — for these committee members who make important decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally. Producers and landowners must return ballots to their local FSA county office or have their ballots postmarked by Dec. 5...
U.S. Department of Agriculture WASHINGTON — U.S. Department of Agriculture chief scientist Chavonda Jacobs-Young announced Tuesday a nearly $24 million investment across 45 organizations and institutions that teach and train beginning farmers and ranchers. “Investing in the professional development of our nation’s newest farmers and ranchers will help our food and agriculture sectors to flourish from the ground up,” said Jacobs-Young, who is also USDA’s Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics. “Strength...
U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA has designated Liberty County as a primary natural disaster area due to extreme weather June 7 through July 9, with Hill, Chouteau, Pondera and Toole counties also eligible for assistance as contiguous counties. The secretarial natural disaster designation allows the United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery...
National Center for Appropriate Technology The National Center for Appropriate Technology has launched a new, interactive website for its ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture program which provides trusted and practical tools for farmers. Since 1987, ATTRA has been a key resource for sustainable and organic farmers and ranchers. The new website is at http://attra.ncat.org . “For 35 years, ATTRA has been helping sustainable farmers grow healthy foods, expand their market opportunities, and diversify their farm businesses through o...